Comcast Settles Racial Discrimination Fight With ESN
Plaintiffs Entertainment Studios Networks and National Association of African American Owned Media settled their lawsuit against Comcast alleging racial discrimination for not carrying ESN content, said a joint stipulation to dismiss (in Pacer, docket 15-cv-1239) Wednesday in U.S. District Court…
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in Los Angeles. The settlement follows a Supreme Court decision in March reversing an appellate court decision that ESN had to show racial animus was only a part of the reason for the carriage decision (see 2003230006). ESN and Comcast said Thursday they signed a carriage agreement extending terms for The Weather Channel and 14 broadcast stations, plus distribution of Comedy.TV, Recipe.TV and JusticeCentral.TV on Comcast's X1 platform. They said Comcast will launch the ad-supported app Local NOW on the Xfinity X1 and Flex platforms. Xfinity customers who receive The Weather Channel will have access to its weloveweather.tv website and app on an authenticated basis. Asked about ESN is a similar complaint against Charter in which it last week filed a second amended complaint (in Pacer, docket 16-cv-00609) in the Los Angeles court, ESN didn't comment.